WASHINGTON - Erik Karlsson never doubted he'd be back on the ice this season.

The Senators defenceman predicted his return the day after he had the surgery to repair a 70% laceration to his Achilles tendon -- a slash caused by the skate of Pittsburgh Penguins winger Matt Cooke on Feb. 13.

"He said the day after he had surgery (that he'd be out) two months," said Daniel Alfredsson Thursday. "We knew that was not possible. We never thought he would be able to come back unless we went really far in the playoffs.

"But he's been positive the whole time through and encouraged by what he's been able to do. He's worked hard to get here. I don't know if there ever was a point I thought he'd be ready, but once he started skating it was encouraging."